Volunteer Center Of Bergen County, Inc.

Nonprofit Issues:

Children & Youth, Philanthropy

Address:

64 Passaic Street HackensackNJ07601USA

Mission:

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County strengthens the community by connecting people with opportunities to serve, operating model volunteer programs, building capacity for effective volunteering, and participating in strategic partnerships that meet community needs.

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Reviews for Volunteer Center Of Bergen County, Inc.

Professional, well organized non-profit. I have met with Moms with young children as well as st-risk teens who have benefited from individual emotional support. At the other end of the spectrum, I have met professionals who depend on the programs to keep their staffs informed. This organization has its eyes on the future. We will all benefit from a well adjusted society.

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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I'm actually a volunteer and a Board Member. My first exposure has been as a volunteer in the Mentoring Youth program, where I have been matched with a youngster for more than three years. The training, and ongoing support and guidance have been extremely helpful in what has been an extremely difficult series of scenarios. The Mentoring Youth Direrctor, and her staff have been entirely supportive, and it is always a pleasure to interact with each of them. At a volunteer recognition night, I became aware of the fact that there were openings on the Vulunteer Center board. The Volunteer Center is the parent agency for the Mentoring program. I have been on the Board for more than a year now, and I find the Board to be a dynamic group of engaged individuals who are committed to the concept of "volunteering". Our Board is complemented by our executive director, and her highly professional staff, who are all well informed, and eager to be of assistance. This is a well managed organization that delivers to people who need and appreciate the various programs available through this dynamic program!

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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County is a hub of activity addressing multiple constituencies and multiple needs. It's core activity serves a diverse nonprofit community, helping to match people seeking opportunities to volunteer with agencies needing their help. It also provides capacity building development assistance, particularly in the area of Board competence. Model mentoring programs for at-risk youth and young, potentially over-stretched moms have stellar results, as does a home repair service, staffed completely by volunteers, that aids elderly and handicapped people remain safe and independent in their homes. The organization helps build leadership through a highly successful program for rising community leaders that incorporates issues analysis, personal leadership training a stewardship for future action. In all, this more than 40-year-old organization has a unique and vital place in the the community.

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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Ths scope and quality of the activities at the Volunteer Center of Bergen County continues to amaze me. The organization is very mission focused and the staff executes flawlessly. Programs like the mentoring programs, Chore, Bergen Leads, RSVP and Business Volunteer Council are great examples of ways that the Volunteer Center improve the quality of life in Bergen County.

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Definitely

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

Life-changing

Will you tell others about this organization?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2012

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1 previous review

Rating:
5 stars
May 9, 201105/09/2011

The scope and impact of this organization is amazing. From mentoring programs to training for not for profits and future leaders of Bergen County to senior and business programs - this organization does it all. The staff is extremely responsive to the community needs and how to implement program that provide an impact.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Working on several fund raising activities - I have received great feedback on the impact of programs from recepients of the group's activities

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Fund raising is always a key activity. Community needs continue to grow while external funding sources are limited in their support. We need to make more people aware of the great programs that come from the Center and get additional resources to continue the great work.

The Mentoring Youth program of the Volunteer Center does wonderful things for our youth and wonderful experiences for our mentors. They are well trained and supervised to be with children who have family situations that are challenging or they have challenges themselves. Having a special person in their lives to be a friend, confidant and role model is so important for our youth. Our mentors benefit from this relationship as well.

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

This is an organization which has a major impact on the lives of so many people and the communities it serves. Their programs directly effect the young and the old and without the Volunteer Center many of the poor and disadvantaged in the area would have no where to turn to. The Center is well run with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce and it uses it's resources in a cost effective manner. I am personally proud to be associated with a successful organization which does so much good for the people of Bergen County and neighboring areas.

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Definitely

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

Life-changing

Will you tell others about this organization?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2012

Was this review helpful?

Share this review:

1 previous review

Rating:
5 stars
April 12, 201104/12/2011

I started with the Volunteer Center as a member of Volunteer Ventures and enjoyed the many volunteer opportunities I had the pleasure to participate in including but not limited to working at the V.A. Home, senior centers, and working with disadvantaged children. What separates the Volunteer Center from most volunteer organizations is the hard work and dedication of the Staff and the outstanding leadership of the Program Director. Like many social service agencies they are understaffed and have limited resources. Despite that, they continually strive to overcome any obstacles in their way and as a result are a major comfort and benefit to the the many people they serve. They are the pinnacle of volunteer organizations; a truly major asset to the residents of Bergen County and neighboring areas.

I've been volunteering with the Mentoring Moms at the Volunteer Center of Bergen County for over 10 years. After retiring from the Corporate World I wanted to find a way to give of my time and to give back to my community. The training was very informative, as are the constant meetings to network with other Volunteers and discuss mutual concerns and joys. I know I am helping the families in need of support and I am, at the same time, gaining new relationships with these families. The Directors and Supervisors at the Center are always willing and able to guide me through any rough spots and to lead me in the proper direction for more resources to share with my assigned family. I love what I do, I would never give it up, and the knowlege that I can help someone else is extremely satisfying; more satisfying than how I felt while working in the Corporate World.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

being able to observe the positive goals that were and still are being reached by the families we help.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

walk door to door enlisting even more volunteers and donations to enable us to continue to do the good work we do. The Volunteer Center Staff and it's Volunteers work beyond what is required and the Center itself is very appreciative of their volunteer team.

Through the Volunteer Center's Mentoring Youth program, I have been mentoring a seven year old little boy for the past year. It has been, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding, enriching experiences in my life. The six week training program prepared all of the mentors extremely well, and was done very professionally. The matching process was also very thorough and the Mentoring Youth staff was in constant communication.

I've made it a point to take my mentee to some of the activities organized by the Volunteer Center such as a book fair, Halloween party and an afternoon of games, sports, and food run by a local Middle School graduating class. These events have been a lot of fun for everyone.

Perhaps most important, the magic of the Mentoring Youth program is the bond that forms between mentors and children. As for my own experience, my mentee and I have shared so much over this past year. We play sports, go to the movies, eat out, go for walks, cook together and sometimes just hang - simple pleasures that are equally enjoyed by us both. We laugh, have fun, trust each other and look forward to spending time together every week. Thanks to the Volunteer Center this is a relationship that I will treasure for a very long time.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I am a youth mentor with Bergen Volunteers and have some 40 years experience working with families and youth in New York and New Jersey. Bergen Volunteers is a premier service agency and one of the best in Bergen County, in New Jersey, and perhaps in the nation. Its volunteers are extremely well trained and prepared for their helping roles, the agency is professionally run, and its administrators are highly qualified and experienced. This agency is to be commended for their service to families, adults and children.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

This organization is phenomenal. They have excellent communications between the social workers, DYFS children, foster parents and the mentors. This is a very rewarding experience for me because this is an agency that truly cares about the welfare of the kids that come through the system. They provide a host of activities to keep the children and mentors engaged together. I absolutely love this program. It is truly helping people.